Organ Donation 1

More than 123,000 Americans are in need of organ transplants. Why should you consider becoming an organ and tissue donor? Dr. Edward Hill gives us some answers in todays 60 Second Housecall.

Dr. Hill:

Advances in medical science have made transplant surgery increasingly successful. The problem is obtaining enough organs for the growing number of people who need them.

Each day about 77 people receive organ transplants. But every 10 minutes a new name is added to a waiting list for a donor organ, and 20 people die each day waiting for a transplant.

In contrast to the large number of people awaiting transplant, there are only about 15,000 organ donors in this country each year. One organ and tissue donor can save and enhance the lives of up to 50 people.

Organs that are needed include the heart, kidney, pancreas, lungs, liver and intestines. Tissues that can be donated include the eyes, skin, bone, heart valves and tendons.

Transplantation is no longer considered a short-term solution, but rather a long-term treatment option to an otherwise deadly disease. If you are interested in being an organ and tissue donor, sign a donor card and be sure to tell your family of your decision.